This is an accepted version of this page
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (/hʌˈkɪm//əˈlaɪʒu.ɒn/huh-KEEMə-LY-zhoo-on;[1]Yoruba:[olaɟuwɔ̃]; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is aNigerian-American former professionalbasketball player.[2] From 1984 to 2002, he playedcenter in theNational Basketball Association (NBA) for theHouston Rockets, and in his last season, theToronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-backNBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon was inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and theFIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest[under discussion] centers, as well as one of the greatest[under discussion] basketball players of all time.[3][4][5][6]
Born inLagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon traveled from his home country to play for theUniversity of Houston under head coachGuy Lewis. His college career for theCougars included three trips to theFinal Four. Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the first overall selection of the1984 NBA draft, a draft well known for its immense talent, which also included players such asMichael Jordan,Charles Barkley, andJohn Stockton. He combined with the 7-foot-4-inch (224 cm)Ralph Sampson to form a duo dubbed the "Twin Towers". The two led the Rockets to the1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to theBoston Celtics. After Sampson was traded to theGolden State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. He led the league inrebounding twice (1989, 1990) andblocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993).
Despite very nearly being traded during a bitter contract dispute before the 1992–93 season, he remained in Houston. He became the first non-American to be anNBA All-Star and start in anNBA All-Star Game, the first non-American to win the NBAMVP, the first non-American to win NBADefensive Player of the Year, and, in the 1993–94 season, became the first player in NBA history to win the NBA'sMVP,Defensive Player of the Year, andFinals MVP awards in the same season. His Rockets won back-to-back championships.The Rockets' 1994 championship against theNew York Knicks was the first in franchise history, with Olajuwon avenging his college championship loss toPatrick Ewing.The following year, aftera lackluster regular season, Olajuwon's Rockets sweptShaquille O'Neal'sOrlando Magic in 4 games in the NBA Finals. In 1996, Olajuwon was a member of the Olympic gold medal-winningUnited States national basketball team, and he was selected as one of the50 Greatest Players in NBA History. In October 2021, Olajuwon was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team.[7] He ended his career as the league's all-time leader inblocks (3,830) and is one of four NBA players to record aquadruple-double.
Olajuwon was born to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, working-classYoruba owners of a cement business inLagos, Nigeria.[8][9] He was the third of eight children. He credits his parents with instilling virtues of hard work and discipline into him and his siblings: "They taught us to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves."[8] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure at his childhood in Nigeria being characterized as backward. "Lagos is a very cosmopolitan city ... There are many ethnic groups. I grew up in an environment at schools where there were all different types of people."[10]
During his youth, Olajuwon was asoccergoalkeeper which helped give him the footwork and agility to balance his size and strength in basketball, and also contributed to his shot-blocking ability.[11] Olajuwon did not play basketball until the age of 15 in high school, when he entered a local tournament while at the Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria.[8] It has been said that a coach in Nigeria once asked him to dunk and demonstrated while standing on a chair. Olajuwon then tried to stand on the chair himself. When redirected by staff not to use the chair, he could initially not dunk the basketball.[12]
Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said, "Basketball is something that is so unique. That immediately I pick up the game and, you know, realize that this is the life for me. All the other sports just become obsolete."[13]
Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to play basketball at theUniversity of Houston underCougars coachGuy Lewis. Olajuwon was not highly recruited and was merely offered a visit to the university to work out for the coaching staff, based on a recommendation from a friend of Lewis who had seen Olajuwon play.[14] He later recalled that when he originally arrived at the airport in 1980 for the visit, no representative of the school was there to greet him. When he called the staff, they told him to take a taxi out to the university.[15]
Afterredshirting his freshman year in 1980–81 because he could not yet get clearance from theNCAA to play,[10] Olajuwon came mostly off the bench and served as the Cougars'sixth man as a redshirt freshman in 1981–82, averaging 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, shooting 60% from the field in 18 minutes per game as Houston was eliminated in the Final Four by the eventual NCAA champion,North Carolina.[16] Olajuwon sought advice from the coaching staff about how to increase his playing time, and they advised him to work out with local Houston resident and multiple NBA MVP winner,Moses Malone. Malone, who was then a center on the NBA'sHouston Rockets, played games every off-season with several NBA players at theFonde Recreation Center. Olajuwon joined the workouts and went head to head with Malone in several games throughout the summer. Olajuwon credited this experience with rapidly improving his game: "The way Moses helped me is by being out there playing and allowing me to go against that level of competition. He was the best center in the NBA at the time, so I was trying to improve my game against the best."[10]
Olajuwon returned from that summer a different player. He was nicknamed "the Dream" during his basketball career after he dunked so effortlessly that his college coach said it "looked like a dream."[17] He and his teammates (includingClyde Drexler) formed what was dubbed "Phi Slama Jama", the first slam-dunking "fraternity", so named because of its above-the-rim prowess. In his sophomore and junior years he helped the Cougars advance to consecutiveNCAA championship games, where they lost toNorth Carolina State on a last-second tip-in in 1983 and aPatrick Ewing-ledGeorgetown team in 1984. He averaged 13.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks in 1982–83 and 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks in 1983–84.[16][18] Olajuwon was voted theNCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1983,[19] when he was also named theHelms Foundation Player of the Year.[20]
After the 1983–84 season, when he was named a consensus first-teamAll-American,[18] Olajuwon debated whether to stay in college or declare early for the NBA draft. At that time, before theNBA draft lottery was introduced in 1985, the first pick was awarded by coin flip. Olajuwon recalled: "I really believed that Houston was going to win the coin flip and pick the first draft choice, and I really wanted to play in Houston so I had to make that decision (to leave early)."[15] His intuition proved correct, and the toss placed Houston ahead of thePortland Trail Blazers. Olajuwon was selected first overall by the Rockets in the1984 NBA draft.[21]
In his autobiographyLiving the Dream, Olajuwon mentions an intriguing draft trade offered to the Rockets that would have sentClyde Drexler and the number two pick in the 1984 NBA draft from Portland in exchange forRalph Sampson.[22] Had the Rockets made the deal, Olajuwon states the Rockets could have selected Jordan with the number two pick to play alongside Olajuwon and Drexler, who had established chemistry playing together during their Phi Slama Jama days in college. SportswriterSam Smith speculates that such a trade "would have changed league history and maybe the entire Michael Jordan legend."[22] From 1991 to 1998, every NBA championship team included either Jordan or Olajuwon; furthermore, at least one of Drexler, Jordan, and Olajuwon was involved in every NBA Finals from 1990 to 1998.[23]
The Rockets had immediate success during Olajuwon's rookie season, as their win–loss record improved from a 29–53 record in1983–84 to 48–34 in1984–85.[24] He teamed with the 1984Rookie of the Year, 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)Ralph Sampson to form the original NBA "Twin Towers" duo. Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks in his rookie season.[25] He finished as runner-up to Michael Jordan in the 1985Rookie of the Year voting, and was the only other rookie to receive any votes.
Olajuwon averaged 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during his second pro season (1985–86).[25] The Rockets finished 51–31,[24] and advanced all the way to theWestern Conference Finals where they faced the defending championLos Angeles Lakers. The Rockets won the series fairly easily, four games to one, shocking the sports world and landing Olajuwon on the cover ofSports Illustrated. Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories in games three and four, and after the series Lakers coachPat Riley remarked "We tried everything. We put four bodies on him. We helped from different angles. He's just a great player."[26] The Rockets advanced to the1986 NBA Finals where they lost in six games to theBoston Celtics, whose 1986 team is often considered one of the best teams in NBA history.[27]
During the1987–88 season, Sampson (who was struggling with knee injuries that would eventually end his career prematurely) was traded to theGolden State Warriors. The1988–89 season was Olajuwon's first full season as the Rockets' undisputed leader. This change also coincided with the hiring of new coachDon Chaney. The Rockets ended the regular season with a record of 45–37,[24] and Olajuwon finished the season as the league leader inrebounds (13.5 per game) by a full rebound per game over Charles Barkley. This performance was consistent with his averages of 24.8points and 3.4blocks.[28] Olajuwon posted exceptional playoff numbers of 37.5 ppg and 16.8 rpg, plus a record for points in a four-game playoff series (150).[29] Nevertheless, the Rockets were eliminated in the first round by the Seattle SuperSonics, 3 games to 1.
The1989–90 season was a disappointment for the Rockets. They finished the season with a 41–41 record,[24] and though they made the playoffs, were eliminated in four games by Los Angeles. Olajuwon put up one of the most productive defensive seasons by an interior player in the history of the NBA. He won the NBA rebounding crown (14.0 per game) again, this time by an even larger margin; a full tworebounds per game overDavid Robinson, and led the league inblocks by averaging 4.6 per game.[28] He is the only player since the NBA started recording blocked shots in1973–74 to average 14+rebounds and 4.5+ blocked shots per game in the same season. In doing so he joinedKareem Abdul-Jabbar andBill Walton as the only players in NBA history (at that point) to lead the league in rebounding and shot-blocking in the same season.[29] Olajuwon also recorded aquadruple-double during the season,[30] becoming only the third player in NBA history to do so.
The Rockets finished the1990–91 season with a record of 52–30[24] underNBA Coach of the Year Chaney. Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points per game in 1990–91, but due to an injury to his eyesocket caused by an elbow fromBill Cartwright,[8] did not play in enough games (56) to qualify for the rebounding title. Otherwise, he would have won it for a third consecutive year, averaging 13.8 a game (league leader Robinson averaged 13.0 rpg). He also averaged a league-leading 3.95blocks per game.[31][32] However, the Rockets were swept in the playoffs by the LA Lakers.
Thefollowing season was a low point for the Rockets during Olajuwon's tenure. They finished 42–40,[24] and missed the playoffs for the first time in Olajuwon's career. He missed two weeks early in the season due to an accelerated heartbeat.[33] Despite his usual strong numbers, he could not lift his team out of mediocrity. Since making the Finals in 1986, the Rockets had made the playoffs five times, but their record in those playoff series was 1–5 and they were eliminated in the first round four times. Following the season, Olajuwon requested a trade in part because of his bad contract; his salary was considerably low for a top center, and his contract specifically forbade re-negotiation.[34] He also expressed displeasure with the organization's efforts to surround him with quality players. He felt the Rockets had cut corners at every turn, and were more concerned with the bottom line than winning.[35] Management had also infuriated Olajuwon during the season when they accused him of faking a hamstring injury because of his unhappiness over his contract situation.[36] His agent cited his differences with the organization as being "irreconcilable",[37] and Olajuwon publicly insulted owner Charlie Thomas and the team's front office.[34][38] With the1992–93 season approaching, a reporter for theHouston Chronicle said that Olajuwon being dealt was "as close to a sure thing as there is."[39]
Nonetheless, he was not traded and the Rockets began the season with a new coach,Rudy Tomjanovich. Olajuwon improved his passing in 1992–93,[40] setting a new career-high of 3.5assists per game.[28] This willingness to pass the ball increased his scoring, making it more difficult for opposing teams to double and triple-team him. Olajuwon set a new career-high with 26.1points per game.[28] The Rockets set a new franchise record with 55 wins,[24] and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, pushing the Seattle SuperSonics to a seventh game before losing in overtime, 103–100. He finished second in the MVP race toCharles Barkley with 22 votes to Barkley's 59.[41] The team rewarded him with a four-year contract extension toward the end of the regular season.[42]
Olajuwon gained a reputation as aclutch performer and as one of the top centers in history based on his performances in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons.[43] He outplayed centers such asPatrick Ewing,David Robinson,Shaquille O'Neal, andDikembe Mutombo, and other defensive stalwarts such asDennis Rodman andKarl Malone. Many of his battles were with his fellow Texas-based rivalDavid Robinson of theSan Antonio Spurs.[44] In the 30 head–to–head match-ups during the seven seasons from the 1989 to 1996, when both Olajuwon and Robinson were in their prime, Olajuwon averaged 26.3 points per game, shooting 47.6% from the field, while Robinson averaged 22.1 and 46.8%.
Olajuwon led the Rockets to a championship in the1994 NBA Finals in a seven-game series against theNew York Knicks, the team of one of Olajuwon's perennial rivals since his collegiate days,Patrick Ewing. After being down 2–1, the Knicks took a 3–2 lead into Game 6. The Rockets were defending an 86–84 lead when in the last second, KnicksguardJohn Starks (who had already scored 27 points) went up for what would have been a Finals-winning three. Olajuwon pulled off a clutch play by blocking the shot as time expired.[45] In Game 7, Olajuwon posted a game–high 25 points and 10 rebounds, which helped defeat the Knicks, bringing the first professional sports championship toHouston since theHouston Oilers won theAmerican Football League championship in 1961. Olajuwon dominated Ewing in their head–to–head match-up, outscoring him in every game of the series and averaging 26.9 points per game on 50% shooting, compared to Ewing's 18.9 and 36.3%.[46] For his efforts Olajuwon was namedNBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
Olajuwon was at the pinnacle of his career. In 1994, he became the only player inNBA history to win the MVP, the Championship, the Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.[47] He was also the first foreign-born player to win the league's MVP award.[48]
On December 1, 1994, Olajuwon recorded a triple-double 37 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 113–109 win over the Golden State Warriors.[49] But despite a slow start by the team, and Olajuwon missing eight games toward the end of the season withanemia,[50] the Rockets repeated as champions in 1995. They were bolstered in part by the acquisition of Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon's formerUniversity of Houston "Phi Slama Jama" teammate, in a mid-season trade from thePortland Trail Blazers. Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during the regular season.[31] Olajuwon displayed perhaps the most impressive moments of his career during the playoffs. San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson, recently crownedleague MVP, was outplayed by Olajuwon in the Conference Finals: Olajuwon averaged 35.3 points on .560 shooting (Robinson's numbers were 23.8 and .449) and outscored Robinson 81–41 in the final two games.[51] In the series-clinching game, Olajuwon recorded 39 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.[52] When asked later what a team could do to "solve" Olajuwon, Robinson toldLIFE magazine: "Hakeem? You don't solve Hakeem."[8] The Rockets won every road game that series. In theNBA Finals, the Rockets swept theOrlando Magic, who were led by a youngShaquille O'Neal. Olajuwon outscored O'Neal in every game,[46] scoring more than 30 points in each and raising his regular-season rate by five while O'Neal's production dropped by one.[53] Olajuwon was again named Finals MVP. He averaged 33.0 points on .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs.[8] As in 1994, Olajuwon was the only Rockets All-Star.[54]
The Rockets' two-year championship run ended when they were eliminated in the second round of the1996 NBA Playoffs by the eventual Western Conference ChampionSeattle SuperSonics.Michael Jordan had returned from an 18-month hiatus in March 1995, and hisChicago Bulls dominated the league for the next three years (1996–98). The Bulls and Rockets never met in the NBA Playoffs. The Rockets posted a 57–win season in1996–97 season when they addedCharles Barkley to their roster. They started the season 21–2,[55] but lost the Western Conference Finals in six games to theUtah Jazz. After averaging 26.9 and 23.2 points in 1995–96 and 1996–97 respectively, Olajuwon's point production dipped to 16.4 in 1997–98.[28] After the Rockets lost in the first round in five games to the Jazz in 1998,[56] Drexler retired. In 1998–99 the Rockets acquired veteran All-StarScottie Pippen and finished 31–19 in thelockout-shortened regular season. Olajuwon's scoring production rose to 18.9 points per game,[28] and he made his twelfth and finalAll-NBA Team.[29] However, they lost in the first round again, this time to the Lakers.[57] After the season, Pippen was traded to thePortland Trail Blazers.
Houston began to rebuild, bringing in young guardsCuttino Mobley and 2000 NBA co-Rookie of the YearSteve Francis. On August 2, 2001,[58] after refusing a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to theToronto Raptors for draft picks (the highest of which was used by Houston to draftBoštjan Nachbar at #15 in the 2002 NBA draft), with the player having a three-year contract that would give him $18 million. In his first game with the Raptors, he scored 11 points in just 22 minutes of playing time against the Magic.[59] Olajuwon averaged career lows of 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in what would be his final season in the NBA, as he decided to retire in the fall of 2002, due to a back injury.[58][60] Olajuwon retired as the all–time league leader in total blocked shots with 3,830, although shot-blocking did not become an official statistic until the1973–74 NBA season.
Shortly after his retirement, his No. 34 jersey was retired by the Rockets. For his NBA career, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points on 51% shooting, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.1 blocks in 1,238 career games.[61]
In 1980, before arriving in the US, Olajuwon played for a Nigerian junior team in the All-Africa Games. This created some problems when he tried to play for theUnited States men's national basketball team initially.[62]FIBA rules prohibit players from representing more than one country in international competition, and players must go through a three-year waiting period for any nationality change. Olajuwon was ineligible for selection to the "Dream Team" as he hadn't become a US citizen.[62]
Olajuwon became a naturalized American citizen on April 2, 1993.[62] For the 1996 Olympics, he received a FIBA exemption and was eligible to play forDream Team III. The team went on to win the gold medal in Atlanta. During the tournament, he shared his minutes withShaquille O'Neal andDavid Robinson. He played 7 out of the 8 games and started 2. He averaged 5 points and 3.1 rebounds and had 8 assists and 6 steals in seven games.
If I had to pick a center [for an all-time best team], I would take Olajuwon. That leaves out Shaq, Patrick Ewing. It leaves out Wilt Chamberlain. It leaves out a lot of people. And the reason I would take Olajuwon is very simple: he is so versatile because of what he can give you from that position. It's not just his scoring, not just his rebounding or not just his blocked shots. People don't realize he was in the top seven [in NBA history] in steals. He always made great decisions on the court. For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him.
Olajuwon was highly skilled as both an offensive and defensive player. On defense, his rare combination of quickness and strength allowed him to guard a wide range of players effectively. He was noted for both his outstanding shot-blocking ability and his unique talent (for a frontcourt player) for stealing the ball. Olajuwon is the only player in NBA history to record more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season. He averaged 3.09 blocks and 1.75 steals per game for his career.[58] He is the only center to rank among the top ten all-time insteals.[58] Olajuwon was also an outstandingrebounder, with a career average of 11.1 rebounds per game.[58] He led the NBA in rebounding twice, during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. He was twice named theNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. In 2022, the NBA renamed its Defensive Player of the Year award as The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.[64]
On offense, Olajuwon was famous for his deft shooting touch around the basket and his nimble footwork in thelow post. With the ball, Hakeem displayed a vast array of fakes and spin moves, highlighted in his signature "Dream Shake" (see below). He was a prolific scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game for his career,[8] and an above-average offensive rebounder, averaging 3.3 offensive rebounds per game.[8] Additionally, Olajuwon became a skilled dribbler with an ability to score in "face-up" situations like a perimeter player.[65] He is one of only four players to have recorded aquadruple-double in the NBA, which have only been possible since the 1973–74 season, when blocked shots and steals were first kept as statistics in the NBA. In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th AnniversaryThe Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Olajuwon as the 11th greatest player in NBA history.[66]
The best footwork I've ever seen from a big man.
Olajuwon established himself as an unusually skilled offensive player for a big man, perfecting a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademarkDream Shake. Executed with uncanny speed and power, they are still regarded as the pinnacle of "big man" footwork.[11]Shaquille O'Neal stated: "Hakeem has five moves, then four countermoves – that gives him 20 moves."[8] Olajuwon himself traced the move back to the soccer-playing days of his youth. "The Dream Shake was actually one of my soccer moves which I translated to basketball. It would accomplish one of three things: one, to misdirect the opponent and make him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the opponent and leave him devastated in his tracks; three, to shake off the opponent and giving him no chance to contest the shot."[11] The Dream Shake was very difficult to defend, much likeKareem Abdul-Jabbar'ssky-hook.[11]
One notable Dream Shake happened in Game 2 of the 1995 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. With David Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, drove to the basket and faked a layup. Robinson, an excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. Olajuwon spun counterclockwise and faked a jump shot. Robinson, who was voted the 1995 NBA MVP, fell for the fake and jumped to block the shot. With Robinson in the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup.[67]
Olajuwon has referred to basketball as a science, and described his signature move in vivid detail: "When the point guard throws me the ball, I jump to get the ball. But this jump is the set-up for the second move, the baseline move. I call it the 'touch landing.' The defender is waiting for me to come down because I jumped but I'm gone before I land. Defenders say 'Wow, he's quick,' but they don't know that where I'm going is predetermined. He's basing it on quickness, but the jump is to set him up. Before I come down, I make my move. When you jump, you turn as you land. Boom! The defender can't react because he's waiting for you to come down to defend you. Now, the first time when you showed that quickness, he has to react to that quickness, so you can fake baseline and go the other way with your jump hook. All this is part of the Dream Shake. The Dream Shake is you dribble and then you jump; now you don't have apivot foot. When I dribble I move it so when I come here, I jump. By jumping, I don't have a pivot foot now. I dribble so now I can use either foot. I can go this way or this way. So he's frozen, he doesn't know which way I'm going to go. That is the shake. You put him in the mix and you jump stop and now you have choice of pivot foot. He doesn't know where you're gonna turn and when."[68]
Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996, in Houston.[69] The couple have four children together.[70] Olajuwon also has an older daughter,Abisola from a previous relationship with Lita Spencer, whom he met in college. Abisola represented the West Girls in theMcDonald's All-American Game and played in theWNBA.[71]
In addition to English, Olajuwon is fluent in French,Arabic, andYoruba.[48] He wrote his autobiography,Living the Dream, with co-authorPeter Knobler in 1996. During his 18-year NBA career, Olajuwon earned more than $110 million in salary.[72]
After Olajuwon's rookie year he signed a 5-year agreement for $2.5 million, to endorse Etonic Shoes with a Signature line, the Dream Shoe. Later in his career, he signed a shoe endorsement deal withLA Gear, and became the face ofSpalding's athletic shoe line and endorsed a sneaker that retailed in various outlets (such asPayless ShoeSource) for $34.99.[73] This made him one of the very few well-known players in any professional sport to endorse a sneaker not fromNike,Reebok,Adidas, or other high-visibility retail brands. As Olajuwon declared: "How can a poor working mother with three boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120? ... She can't. So kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. Sometimes they kill for them."[74]
Attending college was also an important priority for Olajuwon. At the University of Houston, Olajuwon was a physical education major.[75]
In Olajuwon's college career and early years in the NBA, he was often undisciplined, talking back to officials, getting in minor fights with other players and amassing technical fouls. Later, Olajuwon took an active interest in spirituality,[76] becoming a more devoutMuslim. On March 9, 1991, he altered his name from Akeem to the more conventional spelling of Hakeem, saying, "I'm not changing the spelling of my name, I'm correcting it".[77] He later recalled, "I studied theQur'an every day. At home, at the mosque ... I would read it in airplanes, before games and after them. I was soaking up the faith and learning new meanings each time I turned a page. I didn't dabble in the faith, I gave myself over to it."[77] "His religion dominates his life", Drexler said in 1995.[78] Olajuwon was recognized as one of the league's elite centers even while observingRamadan (i.e., abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan on the Islamic calendar), which occurred during the playing season throughout his career. Olajuwon was noted as sometimes playing better during the month of Ramadan, and in 1995 he was named NBA Player of the Month in February, even thoughRamadan began on February 1 of that year.[8][79]
Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons in Houston, first collegiately for the University of Houston Cougars and then professionally with the Houston Rockets.[8] He is considered a Houston icon and one of the city's most beloved citizens.[80] Olajuwon has had great success in the Houstonreal estate market, with his estimated profits exceeding $100 million. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is againstIslamic law topay interest.[81] Olajuwon splits his time betweenJordan, where he moved with his family to pursue Islamic studies,[11] and his ranch near Houston.
In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of playing in the post. While Olajuwon never expressed an interest in coaching a team, he wishes to give back to the game by helping younger players. When asked whether the league was becoming more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just big, maybe. But not if you play with speed, with agility. It will always be a big man's game if the big man plays the right way. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. He can add so much, make it easier for the entire team." He runs the camp for free.[82] Olajuwon has worked with several NBA players, including power forwardEmeka Okafor,[83] and centerYao Ming.[84][85] In September 2009, he also worked withKobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake.[86] In 2010, Olajuwon worked withDwight Howard, helping him diversify his post moves and encouraging more mental focus.[87] In the 2011 offseason,LeBron James flew to Houston and spent time working with Olajuwon.[88][89] Olajuwon has also worked withÖmer Aşık,Donatas Motiejūnas,Amar'e Stoudemire,Carmelo Anthony,JaVale McGee andKenneth Faried. In an interview with theSporting News in April 2016, Olajuwon said that Kobe Bryant was his best low-post student. He stated, "I’ve worked with a lot of players, but the one who really capitalized on it the most is Kobe Bryant. When I watch him play, he’ll go down in the post comfortably, naturally, and he’ll execute it perfectly."[90][91]
Olajuwon was inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008. On April 10, 2008, the Rockets unveiled a sculpture in honor of him outside theToyota Center.
Olajuwon attended the2013 NBA draft to bid farewell to retiring commissionerDavid Stern as Stern made his announcement for the final pick of the first round. Olajuwon was the first pick announced by Stern back in1984.[92]
On August 1, 2015, Olajuwon made a special appearance for Team Africa at the2015 NBA Africa exhibition game.[93] He became a member of theFIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.[94]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won anNBA championship | * | Led the league | ‡ | NBA record |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–85 | Houston | 82* | 82* | 35.5 | .538 | — | .613 | 11.9 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 20.6 |
| 1985–86 | Houston | 68 | 68 | 36.3 | .526 | — | .645 | 11.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 23.5 |
| 1986–87 | Houston | 75 | 75 | 36.8 | .508 | .200 | .702 | 11.4 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 23.4 |
| 1987–88 | Houston | 79 | 79 | 35.8 | .514 | .000 | .695 | 12.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 22.8 |
| 1988–89 | Houston | 82* | 82* | 36.9 | .508 | .000 | .696 | 13.5* | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 24.8 |
| 1989–90 | Houston | 82* | 82* | 38.1 | .501 | .167 | .713 | 14.0* | 2.9 | 2.1 | 4.6* | 24.3 |
| 1990–91 | Houston | 56 | 50 | 36.8 | .508 | .000 | .769 | 13.8 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 3.9* | 21.2 |
| 1991–92 | Houston | 70 | 69 | 37.7 | .502 | .000 | .766 | 12.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 4.3 | 21.6 |
| 1992–93 | Houston | 82 | 82* | 39.5 | .529 | .000 | .779 | 13.0 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 4.2* | 26.1 |
| 1993–94† | Houston | 80 | 80 | 41.0 | .528 | .421 | .716 | 11.9 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 27.3 |
| 1994–95† | Houston | 72 | 72 | 39.6 | .517 | .188 | .756 | 10.8 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 27.8 |
| 1995–96 | Houston | 72 | 72 | 38.8 | .514 | .214 | .724 | 10.9 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 26.9 |
| 1996–97 | Houston | 78 | 78 | 36.6 | .510 | .313 | .787 | 9.2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 23.2 |
| 1997–98 | Houston | 47 | 45 | 34.7 | .483 | .000 | .755 | 9.8 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 16.4 |
| 1998–99 | Houston | 50* | 50* | 35.7 | .514 | .308 | .717 | 9.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 18.9 |
| 1999–00 | Houston | 44 | 28 | 23.8 | .458 | .000 | .616 | 6.2 | 1.4 | .9 | 1.6 | 10.3 |
| 2000–01 | Houston | 58 | 55 | 26.6 | .498 | .000 | .621 | 7.4 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 11.9 |
| 2001–02 | Toronto | 61 | 37 | 22.6 | .464 | .000 | .560 | 6.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 7.1 |
| Career | 1,238 | 1,186 | 35.7 | .512 | .202 | .712 | 11.1 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 21.8 | |
| All-Star | 12 | 8 | 23.2 | .409 | 1.000 | .520 | 7.8 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 9.8 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Houston | 5 | 5 | 37.4 | .477 | — | .1000 | 13.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 21.2 |
| 1986 | Houston | 20 | 20 | 38.3 | .530 | .000 | .638 | 11.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 26.9 |
| 1987 | Houston | 10 | 10 | 38.9 | .615 | .000 | .742 | 11.3 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 4.3 | 29.2 |
| 1988 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 40.5 | .571 | .000 | .884 | 16.8 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 37.5 |
| 1989 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 40.5 | .519 | — | .680 | 13.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 25.3 |
| 1990 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 40.3 | .443 | — | .706 | 11.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 5.8 | 18.5 |
| 1991 | Houston | 3 | 3 | 43.0 | .578 | .000 | .824 | 14.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 22.0 |
| 1993 | Houston | 12 | 12 | 43.2 | .517 | .000 | .827 | 14.0 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 4.9 | 25.7 |
| 1994† | Houston | 23 | 23 | 43.0 | .519 | .500 | .795 | 11.0 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 28.9 |
| 1995† | Houston | 22 | 22 | 42.2 | .531 | .500 | .681 | 10.3 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 33.0 |
| 1996 | Houston | 8 | 8 | 41.1 | .510 | .000 | .725 | 9.1 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 22.4 |
| 1997 | Houston | 16 | 16 | 39.3 | .590 | .000 | .731 | 10.9 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 23.1 |
| 1998 | Houston | 5 | 5 | 38.0 | .394 | .000 | .727 | 10.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 20.4 |
| 1999 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 30.8 | .426 | — | .875 | 7.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 13.3 |
| 2002 | Toronto | 5 | 0 | 17.2 | .545 | — | .667 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 5.6 |
| Career | 145 | 140 | 39.6 | .528 | .222 | .719 | 11.2 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 3.3‡ | 25.9 | |
And only the Athletic Foundation funded by First Interstate Bank (formerly the Helms awards) picked Akeem Abdul Olajuwon of NCAA runnerup Houston as its player of the year.
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Data from Wikidata
and Basketball ReferenceLinks to related articles | |
|---|---|
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
.jpg)
